Rep. Dan Lungren, following a heated race in the newly created 7th Congressional District, has officially lost his bid to retain his seat.

Democratic challenger Ami Bera, who unsuccessfully sought to unseat Lungren two years ago, took the seat this time around after redistricting.

Lungren issued a statement Friday congratulating his opponent.

"I am satisfied that enough votes have been counted to determine that I will not be representing the citizens of the 7th Congressional District during the 113th Congress," Lugren wrote. "It was a tough campaign and I accept the outcome."

Lungren, the former attorney general for California and one-time candidate for the governor race after the recall of Gray Davis, also thanked his supporters as well as his wife.

"No one can fulfill the obligations of public service alone," he said. "The contributions of my wife Bobbi and our family have been inestimable. I could never thank them enough. My staff has work tirelessly on behalf of others - there are no better public servants anywhere."

Lungren has served in the House of Representatives for 18 years and was the attorney general for eight years.

Bera, a doctor, said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“It will be an honor to serve Sacramento County in Congress,” said Bera. “Now is the time to find common ground and move forward to rebuild an economy that works for the middle class. Congressman Lungren deserves our appreciation for his long record of public service.”

Bera resides in Elk Grove and in recent counts of the ballots had pulled ahead of Lungren by more than 5,000 votes.